Sun November 22, 2009
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Backpacking is the term used to describe hiking in which all of the supplies needed for the trip are carried in backpacks. Outing Club backpacking trips span two days. Typically 5 or more miles are backpacked the first day and then camp is set up. The second day another 4 or more miles are backpacked. |
Raccoon Creek State Park has continued to develop from the parkās beginning as a Recreational Demonstration Area operated by the National Park Service in the 1930s, to one of the largest and most beautiful state parks in Pennsylvania. Facilities at the park are a mix from the early Civilian Conservation Corps camp to modern facilities. In addition to recreational areas, there are large tracts of undeveloped land. The 7,572-acre park features the beautiful 101-acre Raccoon Lake.
On the crisp fall day of November 4, 2006, a group of eleven backpackers set out to hike the Rimrock-Morrison Trail in the scenic Allegheny National Forest. Light snow still covered the ground from the storm two days earlier, but proved only to enhance the serenity of the landscape. On Saturday, the group hiked 6.5 miles over rolling and rocky terrain to reach their campsite, located right on the shores of the Allegheny Reservoir, with plenty of light to spare. After pitching their tents, the backpackers dined on chicken stir-fry and then made sā??mores over the roaring fire. Clear skies led to a chilly night, but the group was unfazed as the great conversations around the campfire warmed up the night. The next morning, the group awoke to a beautiful sunrise over the waters of the Allegheny Reservoir, and made the 4-mile uphill hike back to the trailhead. After a weekend away from the hustle and stress of campus life, the hikers returned relaxed, refreshed, and ready to resume their daily routine.
On the unseasonably warm Saturday morning of January 28, 2006, eleven Outing Club participants set out for a backpacking adventure in the little known Allegheny Gorge. They spent the day hiking up and down hills, exploring an iron furnace from the 1840s, and enjoying the view from the Dennison Point Overlook. Participants enjoyed a delicious and satisfying chili dinner and each otherā??s company. Campfire songs and games were a great success and allowed everyone to let loose and get to know each other. Roasting sā??mores and stories of life and school were shared over the fire. The next morning a drizzling rain couldnā??t even dampen spirits as we set out for the hike back to the vans. What a great escape from the grueling college life they left behind!